Versatile cleat for shoe

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a versatile cleat for a sport shoe, including a front face and a rear face extending between a base and a tip. The tip is offset in relation to the base of the cleat and the cleat includes two cavities separated by an intermediate wall, each cavity being open towards both the tip and the rear face of the cleat.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cleat for shoe, in particular a versatile cleat whose direction in relation to the shoe can be modified, in order to easily and rapidly adapt the shoe footing as a function of the ground and/or of the footing desired by the user.

PRIOR ART

Cleated shoes are widely used in sports to facilitate the shoe's grip. The cleats allow avoiding that a player slides during a sudden change of footing.

For example, in rugby, the players must be able to move rapidly on the ground, to suddenly change direction to avoid a player or to have solid footing to stop the running of an opponent.

The cleated sport shoes presently used provide relatively few choices in the arrangement of the cleats on a shoe. Now, in a rugby team, each player is assigned with a particular position on the pitch. For example, the three-quarters mainly need speed and maximum grip in their lateral footing during changes of direction, the props need more rust during a scrum, but also lateral stability. Actually, each player wants a shoe whose ground grip properties specifically suit him. It is hence judicious to propose a cleat that is easily adaptable to a sport shoe, to meet the expectations of each player.

The grip of a cleat depends in particular on the nature of the ground, so that the players are brought to change one or several cleats of their shoes as a function of the ground nature and/or of the weather conditions.

The object of the present invention is to propose a cleat for shoe, which is easily adaptable to a shoe as a function of the footing desired by the user, of the ground and of the weather conditions, in order to provide a better grip and a better comfort of use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the above-mentioned objects, the present invention proposes a versatile cleat for shoe having a front face and a rear face, extending between a base and a tip of the cleat. In other words, between the base and the tip of the cleat extends a lateral wall comprising the front face and the rear face of the cleat. In other words, the front face and the rear face are joined together to form a lateral wall surrounding the base of the cleat.

The invention is characterized in that the tip is offset in relation to the base of the cleat and in that the cleat includes two cavities separated by an intermediate wall, each cavity being open towards both the tip and the rear face of the cleat so as to favour a natural detachment of the soil when the cleat is removed from the ground.

In other words, each cavity is open towards both the tip and the rear face of the cleat so as to have no facing faces. By “facing faces”, it is meant two opposite faces forming an angle lower than 30°. This embodiment advantageously allows forming cavities having no facing faces liable to favour an accumulation of soil caught between two opposite faces. Conversely, the invention proposes cavities open on three of their sides to favour a phenomenon of natural detachment of the soil filling the cavities when the cleat is removed from the ground.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the faces of a same cavity that are secant to the cleat base form an angle favouring the natural detachment of the soil present in said cavity. Preferably, the faces of a same cavity that are secant to the base of the tip form an angle comprised between 30° and 120°, preferably comprised between 80° and 100° or of the order of 90°.

By “offset”, it is meant that the tip of the cleat is offset in relation to the base thereof, so that their centres define a straight line forming an acute angle with the base. In other words, the cleat extends obliquely in relation to its base, so that, by modifying the direction of the cleat in relation to its direction of displacement into the ground, it is possible to control the intensity of the force that opposes to the displacement thereof. Hence, the invention also proposes a versatile cleat, whose properties of penetration and grip into the ground may be easily adapted as a function of the type of footing desired by the user, of the ground nature and of the weather conditions.

Advantageously, the cavities of the cleat form notches at the edges of the tip in order to reduce the surface thereof and hence to favour a better penetration of the cleat into the ground. The cavities also form recesses at the rear face of the cleat, in order to increase the surface of contact of the cleat in the ground. More exactly, each cavity comprises a first face opposite to the front face of the cleat and a second face forming a side of the intermediate wall. The first faces are configured so as to oppose to the rearward displacement of the cleat in the ground. The second faces are configured to oppose to a lateral displacement of the cleat. Hence, the intermediate wall allows limiting the lateral displacement of the cleat in the ground, in order to provide a more precise and more reliable gripping sensation for the user.

Preferably, the intermediate wall is arranged so as to delimit symmetrical cavities, in order to avoid that the ground exerts different forces of resistance to the displacement of the cleat at each cavity, liable to generate a pivoting movement of the cleat.

According to a preferred embodiment, the intermediate wall extends along a radial direction with respect to the cleat, so that the second faces of the intermediate wall are the widest possible to prevent a lateral sliding of the cleat in the ground. This embodiment hence allows preserving the properties of penetration and anchoring of the cleat into the ground during the use thereof, by providing a regular and natural evacuation of the soil present in the cavities each times the cleat exits from the ground.

According to another feature of the invention, the centre of the tip and the centre of the base of the cleat are arranged so as to define a straight line forming an acute angle with the base. Preferably, the value of this angle is lower than 80° to allow a better grip of the cleat in the ground. The value of this angle is preferably higher than 60° in order to limit the stresses on the shoe, exerted by the cleat during the penetration thereof into the ground. Indeed, these constraints are liable to cause a feeling of discomfort, or even to hurt the user, when they are too intense. According to a preferred embodiment, the value of this angle is of the order of 75°, this value corresponding to a compromise between a good grip and a comfortable use of the cleat. Of course, these values are liable to vary as a function of the ground nature, of the position and/or the direction of the cleat in relation to the shoe.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the angle of inclination of the rear face is higher than the angle of inclination of the front face with respect to the cleat base. In other words, the cleat tip projects towards the front of the cleat so as to favour a greater volume for the cavities.

According to a preferred embodiment, the contour of the cleat base is oval or circular in shape.

According to another feature of the invention, the tip of the cleat has a surface area lower than 60% of the surface of the base thereof, preferably the surface of the tip is comprised between 50% and 20% of the surface of the base.

According to another feature of the invention, at least one cavity extends over at least 50% of the distance separating the base from the tip of the cleat, preferably over at least 80% of this distance. In other words, the cavities extend over a part only of the height of the cleat so as not to modify the shape of the contour of the base thereof. In other words, between the cleat base and the cavities, the lateral wall is continuous all around the cleat. By “height”, it is herein meant the distance separating the base from the tip of the cleat.

Preferably, the base and the tip are planar or substantially planar surfaces, parallel or substantially parallel to each other. According to a preferred embodiment, the surface of the tip is slightly convex in order to favour the penetration of the cleat into the ground.

According to another feature of the invention, the intermediate wall is concave in shape at the rear face of the cleat, in order to facilitate the penetration of the cleat into the ground.

According to another feature of the invention, at least one cavity comprises a first face opposite to the front face of the cleat, concave in shape. The concavity of the first face favours a better grip of the cleat in the ground. Conversely, according to another feature of the invention, the front face of the cleat is convex in shape, with preferably a smooth surface, to favour the penetration thereof into the ground.

According to another feature of the invention, the cleat comprises a fastening mean extending from the base thereof, the fastening means being configured to allow the reversible fastening of the cleat to a shoe. By “reversible”, it is meant the possibility for a user to mount or dismount at will the cleat to/from the shoe. According to a preferred embodiment, the fastening means includes a threaded rod extending perpendicularly to the cleat base.

According to another feature of the invention, the cleat includes notches and/or other cavities, so as to lighten the weight thereof.

According to another feature of the invention, the cleat includes at least two intermediate walls, each intermediate wall separating two cavities open towards both the tip and the rear face of the cleat. According to a preferred embodiment, the intermediate walls are parallel to each other. According to another preferred embodiment, the intermediate walls are secant so as to form an angle lower than 60°, preferably comprised between 10° and 20°.

The present invention also relates to a shoe comprising at least one cleat as defined herein above. In particular, the invention aims to equip sport shoes used for example in the fields of rugby, soccer, golf or other.

The invention also relates to a cleat mounting kit described hereinabove, including;

-   -   a cleat according to the invention comprising a threaded rod         extending perpendicularly to its base;     -   a washer comprising an opening in the centre thereof, configured         to allow the passage of the threaded rod;     -   a tool including a housing of complementary shape to the cleat         tip and a grasping means configured to facilitate the pivoting         of the cleat about the axis of the threaded rod.

Preferably, the washer is of elastic nature. Hence, during the screwing of the cleat to the shoe, the washer inserted between the cleat and the shoe undergoes stress forces adapted to vary the thickness of the washer. As a function of the washer crushing between the cleat and the shoe, the direction of the cleat may be simply and rapidly modified. The mounting kit hence allows a same cleat to have many different positions of mounting on a same shoe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features of the invention as well as other features will appear more clearly upon reading of the following detailed description of non-limitative examples. with reference to the following appended drawings;

FIG. 1 is a side view of a cleat according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of a cleat shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view, slightly in perspective, of a cleat shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a tool from a kit for mounting a cleat according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a tool shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a cleat shown in FIG. 1, comprising a washer of a mounting kit, positioned about a threaded rod of the cleat;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a sport shoe sole, comprising several cleats according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an alternative embodiment of a sole shown in FIG. 7.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

It is reminded that the invention proposes a cleat for shoe, easily adaptable to a shoe as a function of the footing desired by the user, of the ground and of the weather conditions.

FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a non-limitative exemplary embodiment of a cleat 100 according to the invention. According to the present example, the cleat comprises a lateral wall 110 extending between a base 120 and a tip 130. More precisely, the lateral wall 110 delimits the perimeter of the cleat between the base and the tip thereof.

The cleat base 120 is circular in shape and has a planar surface. The diameter of the base is comprised between 10 mm and 100 mm, preferably between 10 mm and 50 mm. According to the present example, the diameter of the base 120 is of the order of 20 mm. From the centre A of the base extends, perpendicularly to its surface, a threaded rod 140. The length, the diameter as well as the pitch of the rod threading are configured to allow a user to screw the threaded rod into a shoe sole. According to the present example, the threaded rod is characterized by a thread of the M5×0.8 type and a length of the order of 6 mm.

The cleat tip 130 is also of planar surface and parallel or substantially parallel to the base 120. The cleat height, defined as the distance separating the base from the tip thereof, is comprised between 5 mm and 30 mm, preferably comprised between 10 mm and 21 mm. According to the present example, the cleat height is of the order of 18 mm. The centre B of the tip is offset in relation to the axis of the threaded rod 140, so that the centres A and B define a straight line (AB) forming an acute angle α with the base 120. The value of this angle is comprised between 50° and 85°, it is preferably comprised between 60° and 90° for the reasons mentioned hereinabove. According to the present example, the value of the angle α is of the order of 75°. It is to be noted that the rear face is more inclined than the front face with respect to the cleat base.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the lateral wall 110 comprises a front face 150 and a rear face 160. The rear face 160 is opposed to the front face 150 and said faces are joined together at the sides thereof so as to form a lateral wall surrounding the base 120 of the cleat 100. According to the present example, the front face 150 of the cleat extend over 180° around the base, the rear face 150 extending over the complementary 180°.

The rear face 160 includes two distinct cavities 170 as shown in FIG. 2. Each cavity is open towards both the rear face 160 and the tip 130 of the cleat. In other words, the cavities form recesses at the rear face 160 and the tip 130 of the cleat. It is to be noted that, according to a not-shown alternative embodiment, the cavities 170 may possibly extend over a part of the front face 150.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cavities 170 hence form a notch 132 at the tip 130. In other words, the cavities 170 are open towards the tip 130 so as to modify the shape of its perimeter.

The cavities 170 are symmetrical with respect to an intermediate wall 180 so that the perimeter of the tip 130 is similar to a “T” shape. The intermediate wall 180 extends along a direction from the front to the rear of the cleat and is delimited by a part of the rear face 160 of the cleat visible in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Preferably, the surface of the tip 130 is comprised between 20% and 60% of the surface of the base. According to the present example, the surface of the tip corresponds to 30% of the surface of the base 120.

More precisely, each cavity 170 is delimited by a first face 172 opposite to the front face 150 or on the front of the cleat 100, a second face 174 corresponding to a side of the intermediate wall 180 and a third face 176 opposite the base 120. The first face 172 and the second face 174 are concave in shape in order to favour a better grip of the cleat in the ground. The third face 176 is parallel or substantially parallel to the base 120 and is located at a distance from the tip 130 comprised between 10% and 90% of the cleat height, preferably between 60% and 80%. By “height”, it is herein meant the distance separating the base from the tip of the cleat. According to the present example, the third face 176 is located at a distance from the tip 130 of the order of 75% of the cleat height. That way, the cavities 170 do not extend up to the base 120 of the cleat.

The second face 174 extends along a radial or substantially radial direction with respect to the axis of the threaded rod 140. The intersection between the second face 174 and the third face 176 forms an edge 175 indexed in FIG. 3, whose length is comprised between 20% and 80% of the diameter of the base 120, preferably between 50% and 80%. According to the present example, the length of the edge 175 corresponds to 50% of the diameter of the base 120. Likewise, the intersection between the first face 172 and the third face 176 forms an edge 173 indexed in FIG. 2, whose length is comprised between 20% and 80% of the diameter of the base 120, preferably between 20% and 50%. According to the present example, the length of the edge 173 corresponds to 30% of the diameter of the base 120.

In particular, the edges 173 and 175 cross each other according to an angle β comprised between 30° and 120°, preferably comprised between 80° and 100°. According to the present example, the value of the angle β is of the order of 90°. Hence, the cavities 170 extend over a part of the perimeter of the cleat 100. Each cavity 170 may hence extend between 5% and 30% of the perimeter of the cleat 100. According to the present example, each cavity extends over 20% of the perimeter.

The cavities 170 are separated by the intermediate wall 180 indexed in FIG. 3, delimited by the second faces 174 of the cavities. The thickness of the intermediate wall, measured on the rear face 160 at the level of the second faces 174 of the cavities, corresponds to between 1% and 30% of the perimeter of the cleat 100. According to the present example, the thickness is of the order of 5% of the cleat perimeter. According to a preferred embodiment, the second faces 174 are parallel to each other, so that the thickness of the intermediate wall is constant. Conversely, according to another preferred embodiment, the second faces 174 are arranged so as to converge at the rear face 160. In other words, the thickness of the intermediate wall 180 may vary along a radial direction with respect to the axis of the threaded rod 140. Preferably, the thickness of the intermediate wall 180 decreases near the rear face 160 in order to provide a tapered profile, more favourable to the penetration of the cleat into the ground.

It is to be noted that it is conceivable to modify one or several values mentioned hereinabove, in the indicated value ranges, in order to obtain other embodiments of a cleat according to the invention. In other words, one or several values mentioned hereinabove may be changed independently from each other.

A cleat 100 as described hereinabove may be made from at least one of the following materials: tin, aluminium, titanium, magnesium, chromium-cobalt and/or a synthetic polymer.

Preferably, a cleat 100 is manufactured by a moulding, injection technique, or by a 3D printing technique.

The present invention also relates to a kit 200, illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6, for mounting a cleat 100 on a shoe sole. The mounting kit comprises a tool 210 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The tool 210 includes a grasping means 220 and a housing 230 of complementary shape to the tip 130 of the cleat 100. The tool 210 is hence configured to allow a user to engage and firmly maintain a part of the cleat in the housing 230, then to pivot the cleat about the axis of its threaded rod 140 by means of a grasping means 220. The tool 210 advantageously allows a user to screw the threaded rod 140 into the sole of a shoe, with a higher tightening torque.

The mounting kit 200 also comprises a washer 240 including an opening at the centre thereof. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the opening is configured to allow the passage of the threaded rod 140 through the washer. The thickness of the washer 240, delimited by the lateral faces thereof, is comprised between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, and is preferably of the order of 0.8 mm. The washer is elastic so as to allow the deformation thereof during the tightening of the cleat against a sole. Hence, as a function of the cleat tightening, the latter may be directed differently in relation to the sole.

The present invention also relates to a sole 300, comprising one or several cleats as described hereinabove. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a sole 300 comprising 6 cleats 100 mounted using the mounting kit 200. According to a first example illustrated in FIG. 7, the sole comprises identical housing configured to receive: two cleats 310 on the front 302, two cleats 320 on the sides 304 and two cleats 330 on the rear 306. The housing are identically threaded, so as to be compatible with the screw pitch of the threaded rod 180 of a cleat 100. In each housing is screwed the threaded rod 180 of a cleat 100 using the tool 210. A washer 240 is interposed between each cleat and the sole. The cleats 310 are screwed according to a first tightening torque so as to reduce the thickness of their washer until their rear face is directed towards the rear of the sole 300. In other words, the washers are compressed between the cleats 310 and the sole 300 so that the axis (VR) passing through the front face 150 and the intermediate wall 180 of a cleat 310 is parallel to the longitudinal direction (SS′) of the sole. The cleats 320 are screwed according to a second tightening torque so as to reduce the thickness of their washer until their front face is directed towards the outside of the sole. In other words, the washers are compressed between the cleats 320 and the sole 300 so that the axis (VR) passing through the front face 150 and the intermediate wall 180 of a cleat 310 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (SS′) of the sole. The cleats 330 are screwed according to a third tightening torque so as to reduce the thickness of their washer until their rear face is directed towards the front of the sole. In other words, the washers are compressed between the cleats 320 and the sole 300 so that the axis (VR) passing through the front face 150 and the intermediate wall 180 of a cleat 310 is parallel to the longitudinal direction (SS′) of the sole. Hence, the rear faces 160 of the cleats 310 are directed so as to provide a better grip of the sole when the user moves forward. Conversely, the cleats 330 located on the rear of the sole have their rear face 160 directed towards the front of the sole, in order to allow the user of the sole to stop rapidly. The rear faces 160 of the cleats 320 are directed towards the inside of the sole, in order to provide better lateral footing.

FIG. 8 illustrates a second example of use of the cleats 100 on a sole 300. This example is different from the preceding in that the rear faces 160 of the cleats 310 are pivoted by 180° so as to be directed towards the front of the sole.

FIG. 7 hence shows an example of mounting of cleats 100 according to the invention on a sole intended for an offensive player, such as a three-quarter of a rugby team, whereas FIG. 8 illustrates a cleat mounting for a defensive player, such as a prop, requiring good qualities of grip on the front of the sole to exert efficient thrusts in scrums.

The invention also relates to a shoe provided with a sole 300 including one or several cleats 100. Preferably, the shoe is a sport shoe that may be used in the fields of soccer, rugby, golf or other.

As a conclusion, the invention proposes a new type of cleat 100 providing a greater grip efficiency, a better comfort of use and a greater adaptability. More precisely, the invention allows a user to easily modify the direction of each cleat in relation to the sole, without using many tools, which gives him the possibility to adapt rapidly the grip of his shoe as a function of the ground and/or of the playing mode of the user. 

1-11 (canceled)
 12. A versatile cleat for shoe having a front face and a rear face extending between a base and a tip, wherein the tip is offset in relation to the base of the cleat and wherein the cleat includes two cavities separated by an intermediate wall wherein, each cavity is open towards both the tip and the rear face of the cleat so as to favour a natural detachment of the soil when the cleat is removed from the ground, and a fastening means extending from the base thereof, the fastening means being configured to allow the reversible fastening of the cleat to a shoe.
 13. The cleat according to claim 12, wherein the fastening means includes a threaded rod extending perpendicularly to the cleat base.
 14. The cleat according to claim 13, wherein the threaded rod is surrounding by a washer.
 15. The cleat according to claim 14, wherein the washer is of elastic nature so as to allow the deformation thereof during the tightening of the cleat against a sole.
 16. The cleat according to claim 15, wherein the washer is of elastic nature so as to allow its thickness varies, depending on the tightening torque applied to the crampon during the screwing of the threaded rod in a threaded housing of a sole.
 17. The cleat according to claim 12, wherein the faces of a same cavity that are secant to the base of the cleat form an angle comprised between 30° and 120°.
 18. The cleat according to claim 12, wherein the centre of the base and the centre of the tip are arranged so as to define a straight line forming an acute angle (α) with the base.
 19. The cleat according to claim 12, wherein the tip of the cleat has a surface area lower than 60% of the surface of the base.
 20. The cleat according to claim 12, wherein at least one cavity extends over at least 50% of the distance separating the base from the tip of the cleat.
 21. The cleat according to claim 12, wherein at least one cavity comprises a first face opposite to the front face of the cleat.
 22. A shoe comprising at least one cleat according to claim
 12. 23. A shoe comprising cleats according to claim 12, wherein the rear faces of at least two cleats are oriented differently with respect to the longitudinal direction of the sole of the shoe.
 24. A cleat mounting kit, including: a cleat according to claim 12; a washer comprising an opening in the centre thereof, configured to allow the passage of the threaded rod; a tool including a housing of complementary shape to the cleat tip and a grasping means configured to facilitate the pivoting of the cleat about the axis of the threaded rod.
 25. A cleat mounting kit according to the claim 24, wherein the washer is of elastic nature so as to allow the deformation thereof during the tightening of the cleat against a sole.
 26. The cleat of claim 12, wherein the faces of a same cavity that are secant to the base of the cleat form an angle comprised between 80° and 100°.
 27. The cleat of claim 12, wherein the centre of the base and the centre of the tip are arranged so as to define a straight line forming an acute angle (α) with the base, the value of this angle being within a range of 60° to 80°.
 28. The cleat of claim 12, wherein the tip of the cleat has a surface area comprised between 50% and 20%, of the surface of the base.
 29. The cleat of claim 12, wherein at least one cavity extends over at least 80% of the distance separating the base from the tip of the cleat.
 30. The cleat of claim 21, wherein the first face is concave in shape. 